“Gladiator” Ralf Moeller on his evacuation

The year had started quite normally for Ralf Moeller, he was lifting weights while Arnold Schwarzenegger stood behind him. The “Terminator” motivated the “Gladiator”. Moeller posted a video of the two actors’ workout at the legendary Gold’s Gym on Venice Beach, in the suburbs of Los Angeles. Shortly thereafter, nothing was normal for Moeller and his adopted home of Los Angeles.

Since Tuesday, a firestorm has gripped the Californian metropolis, especially the expensive suburbs where many celebrities live. Like Moeller, who was evacuated from his penthouse in Santa Monica because of the flames.

Where are you currently, Mr. Moeller?

I stayed in a hotel in Culver City where the MGM studios were. Two days ago I had to leave my penthouse, like everyone in my neighborhood. Thank God my apartment complex is still standing. The Palisades are ten minutes away and everything there is completely destroyed. Friends and acquaintances of mine lost their houses, they had to leave quickly and had nothing left from one day to the next.

How did you experience the start of the fires?

I have lived here for more than thirty years. But I have never experienced such fires, which came so quickly and so devastatingly and so close to the city. We have the Santa Ana winds here every year, they usually come in September or October. You’re happy when light winds come from the desert and stir up the stagnant heat in the city. But now they came as a hurricane. The gusts turned a small fire into a huge avalanche that descended on Hollywood, Bel-Air and the Palisades.

When did you realize this fire was different?

I came out of the gym and saw that there was a fire. That’s what we’re used to here, there are always fires. But the fire got worse overnight. As if someone had held a hairdryer or a leaf blower into the embers.

You then watched the fires from your balcony and started packing.

The authorities sent notifications to the cell phones of those being evacuated, there were live broadcasts on television, and you could immediately see what was threatening. I then asked: Where can I go? I was able to pack all important documents and records. Others were surprised by the flames and could only jump and run away without taking anything with them. The fire is coming at such speed, it’s crazy.

Donald Trump sees Governor Gavin Newsom as the culprit for the fires. How do you assess the authorities’ reaction?

You are powerless against natural forces. In this case, politics also came into play: The mayor of Los Angeles, Karen Bass, cut the fire department budget a few months ago. It cut nearly $20 million from the city’s firefighting budget and redistributed the funds to, shall I say, less important things. The fire brigade budget would have to be increased, especially here, where we have to deal with forest fires every year. Now there are not enough firefighters, there is a lack of firefighting in every corner.

How do you experience your fellow human beings in this situation?

People are shocked. It’s clear that many people have suddenly lost everything. This is “devastating,” as they say in America.

In such a situation, are you thinking about moving away?

Anyone who lives in Los Angeles always has to expect fires and earthquakes. I know that something like this doesn’t happen every month. And everyone will learn from this catastrophe and make preparations so that it does not happen again on this scale. As I said: The nice politicians could have curbed a lot now.

They were evacuated, other celebrities lost their homes.

The complex where I live in Santa Monica right on the beach is currently no longer at risk. Of course, the wind can always change, but you can never completely rule it out. We were lucky. But, my God, what burned away in other places! Houses that cost tens of millions of dollars. Some people say: “Why do we care about celebrities?” Some will also say: “It’s a good thing that it happens to the rich.” But it affects everyone. The fire doesn’t decide between villa owners and tenants in a small apartment. Everyone has lost something. And now it’s time to rebuild it together.

While the fires are still blazing in some places, clean-up work is already beginning elsewhere. How will the people of Los Angeles emerge from this disaster?

Well, the Americans are used to a lot of things – and always remain confident. The confidence of the people is what has always made this country special. No matter whether after the crazy hurricanes in Florida or the fires in California. There are people who have lost everything and don’t despair, but still ask: “Where can we help?” This is incredible. Her attitude is: A human life is finite, but rebuilding a house is always possible. And that’s what they will do. They will rebuild everything that has now burned down with confidence and strength. Even if it takes two or three years.